Shelter group eyes Legion building for facility

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 10, 2005

The American Legion Ezra Woods Post 31 property includes a farmhouse and garage building. The second floor of the main house would need considerable renovations before it could be used a permanent shelter. A second garage-style, heated building with an open space and bathroom has possibilities as a temporary shelter space, said the Rev. Gail Keeney-Mulligan of St. John's Episcopal Church, a coalition leader.

For more than a year, the shelter coalition has sought property, either town owned or private, that might lend itself to a permanent shelter space. The homeless would not only have a place to sleep, but they could be assessed for social service, medical and mental health assistance they might require. The American Legion property, with a price tag of $325,000, came to the coalition's attention last month.

"There are possibilities," Keeney-Mulligan said.

But she said the difficulty now for the coalition is it is not yet an official non-profit organization - the legal paperwork required to establish that is under way - and it has only about $30,000 in its account now managed through the United Way Housatonic-Shepaug. Until the coalition is an official non-profit, it cannot solicit donations.

Still, several coalition members, including Town Council member Frank Wargo, are enthusiastic about what could be done and intend to explore it further.

One of the most attractive aspects of this property is it is near Route 7, but still far enough away from the village green so as not to disturb downtown merchants. It is adjacent to a 7� acre parcel now designated for a 40-unit affordable housing project for low-income families. Keeney-Mulligan said coalition officials hope to also meet with the New Milford Housing Partnership to discuss how they might partner on this project.

In initial discussions about the property, Wargo envisioned it might be a place that would combine a shelter with shared space open to other community organizations. He said those organizations might then to work with the coalition to restore the property.

American Legion Commander Jeff McBreairty says his 150-member organization opted to sell the buildings because it could not afford renovations.

"We are aware it would take a lot of time, talent, and money, to put this into a condition that would meet the standards for safety and use," Keeney-Mulligan said.

The current, rotating emergency shelter operation is winding down, with the shelter to move from the Christian Life Fellowship church to First Congregational Church on March 27. April 15 is the last day the shelter will operate this year. The coalition is in desperate need of volunteers. It wants at least a man and a woman or two men on duty every night to staff the shelter until it closes for the season.

Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call St. John's at 354-5583.